As a concerned citizen and a candidate for the position of City Council Member, of Chesapeake, VA, I've observed with growing unease the influence of developer, construction and real estate company donations on our City Council decisions. This issue is deeply personal to me as I believe that these contributions are swaying the decisions made by our council members, potentially compromising their impartiality and integrity.

In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in campaign donations from developers and real estate companies to local politicians across the country. According to a study by the National Institute on Money in Politics, real estate interests contributed over $180 million to state-level candidates and committees during 2016 election cycle alone. This trend is not just national but also prevalent in our city.

Our democracy thrives when elected officials represent their constituents' interests rather than those of powerful financial backers. Therefore, we are calling upon all candidates running for City Council in Chesapeake to sign a pledge promising not to accept campaign donations from developers, construction or real estate companies or their staff.

By pledgeing not to take these monies, candidates will demonstrate their commitment towards maintaining transparency and prioritizing residents' needs over corporate interests. Let's ensure that our city's future is shaped by its people rather than profit-driven entities.

There is a Mayoral Election in Chesapeake this year too. While this petition is for the general Council Candidates, the Mayoral Candidates are encouraged to sign on as well.

Citizens, please join us in this fight for transparency and fairness within our local government, by signing this petition in the upper right corner, to urge the City Council candidates to pledge not to take developer, construction or real estate companies "campaign" contributions.

 I ask the candidates for Chesapeake City Council in 2024 to sign on the following pledge:

The undersigned pledge to take no campaign contributions that come from real estate, construction or development companies, their owners or staff members after the end of the March 31, reporting period, and throughout the election period which ends on November 5th, 2024.

Candidates who have pledged to not take those monies are listed here:

1. Jeff Staples 3/20/2024
2. Jennifer Naperala 3/21/2024
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Candidates may find the opportunity to sign on here: 
Clean Money CCC Candidate sign on link.